SINGAPORE: The Active Mobility Advisory Panel has submitted its proposed rules and code of conduct for the safe use of footpaths, cycling paths and shared paths to the Transport Ministry.

Among its recommendations, the panel made suggestions on the type of devices to be allowed on various paths.

It recommended personal mobility aids, like motorised wheelchairs, conventional bicycles, as well as personal mobility devices like kick-scooters and hoverboards on footpaths, and on cycling and shared paths, like Park Connectors.

Previously, bicycles and personal mobility devices were not allowed on footpaths.

But while the panel recommended electric bicycles should be allowed on cycling and shared paths, they should still be banned on footpaths. It also recommended that bicycles and electric bicycles be allowed to continue being used on the roads.

In addition, the panel suggested electric bicycles be registered to facilitate enforcement against errant riders and those who illegally modify electric bicycles.

Key rules were also listed in the panel's report that it recommended be enforceable by law and which may result in penalties if not followed. These include ensuring personal mobility devices and mobility aids are equipped with lights visible from the front and back, which must be switched on when dark.

Speed limits of 15 km/h on footpaths and 25km/h on shared paths and cycling paths were also recommended.

The panel also suggested that a maximum of two are allowed to cycle side-by-side on all roads with at least two lanes in that direction with the exception of roads with bus lanes during bus operational hours.

Cycling against the flow of traffic on roads should also not be allowed, it said.

The 14-member panel is chaired by Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Social and Family Development. The Transport Ministry said it will study the recommendations and issue its response in due course.

yup, agree with JudyP... they are footpaths after all.Besides, how does one monitor let alone enforce a 15km/h speed limit? Perhaps a nationwide roll-out of bike speedometers? with the potential lead-up to ERP-like gantries?

Barnsley wrote:They dont enforce the current laws so what is the point in this!!!

They do when they feel they need to, which I think is quite a good approach. They had a blitz on jay walking a while back, that was triggered by a spate of elderly uncles and aunties getting knocked down.

They also targeted cyclists around Bedok (I think) when people started complaining.

That aside, I do like the committee's recommendations, they seem very sensible to me.

Poor cyclists. When they cycle on the road, the motorists take a piss on them. When they move to footpath for safety, the pedestrians cry murder. The law says to cycle on road but the motorists are hell-bent on antagonising the cyclists.

Barnsley wrote:Previously, bicycles and personal mobility devices were not allowed on footpaths.

Is this a joke?

Near Paya Lebar MRT, I see bicycles on the sidewalk all the time. Beside walking zombies staring at their phones, this is one of my biggest peeve walking. They ride on the sidewalk like they have the right of way and own it!!

Now, I see those electric e-scooter riders zipping through the crowd all the time. Someone is going to get hurt by one of these kids.

Barnsley wrote:Previously, bicycles and personal mobility devices were not allowed on footpaths.

Is this a joke?

Near Paya Lebar MRT, I see bicycles on the sidewalk all the time. Beside walking zombies staring at their phones, this is one of my biggest peeve walking. They ride on the sidewalk like they have the right of way and own it!!

Now, I see those electric e-scooter riders zipping through the crowd all the time. Someone is going to get hurt by one of these kids.

It's illegal in most places in Singapore. Some of the new towns permit it, Tampines is one I think.

bgd wrote:Might have to move the bins, the plants, the motorbikes and cars off them first. At least around me, I have to walk on the road.

When I'm in an extra passive aggressive mood I usually push those damn green bins over if they're blocking the public footpath..... I'm hoping to spread the practice; after we live in the nation of Passive Arggessive Politics right?

Er... well I think all those things are already on footpaths. Back when I was on crutches I'd have cyclists bombing along 'Ding ding ding!' forcing me out the way. Honestly dangerous and seriously not funny.

The trouble is that there is a basic sense of right of way, it might even derive from Common Law. At the least it's common sense and basic courtesy. The faster more mobile means of transport has to give way to the rest. So, Cars> trucks> bicycles> someone on horse-back> pedestrians> disabled, people with lots of bags, people with prams etc.

So to be granted a right to ride bicycles on pavements, and in the absence of common sense and courtesy, you need enforcement to ensure cyclists respect the right of way of those who need it. Since that's absent now, how is encouraging them further likely to improve things? Beats me.